Protective case for portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a portable electronic device comprises a first holder element having an adapter member, and a second holder element connected with the first holder element. The second holder element is adapted to receive and hold the electronic device. The first holder element is operable to open or close on the electronic device by folding. The first holder element entirely covers the electronic device when being closed. The protective case is adapted to be mounted on a rod element through the adapter member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective case for an electronic device, and in particular to a protective case for a portable electronic device.

2. The Prior Arts

As technology advances, portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers, are increasingly becoming popular. The tablet computer is equipped with a touch screen as a primary input device, and therefore it may use virtual keyboard and handwriting recognition for text input through the touch screen. The tablet computer may also be operated by a keyboard, a mouse or other accessories through wireless connection or various transmission interfaces. As the portable electronic devices become thinner and more lightweight, protective cases are needed to provide protection. Although there are a lot of protective cases available in the market, they only provide various ways to insert the electronic device into the protective case. The conventional designs also provide various ways to place the electronic device on desk. However, there is no protective case designed for the travelers.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved protective case that can solve the prior art problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a protective case for a portable electronic device that can satisfy the traveler's needs in outdoor environment, such as in combination with a luggage.

In order to achieve the objective, a protective case according to the present invention comprises a first holder element having an adapter member, and a second holder element connected with the first holder element. The second holder element is adapted to receive and hold a portable electronic device. The first holder element is operable to open or close on the electronic device by folding, the first holder element entirely covers the electronic device when being closed, and the protective case is adapted to be held with a rod element through the adapter member.

The protective case provides protection and portability of the electronic device, and can also be conveniently attached with a luggage, boarding luggage, and other similar frames. Accordingly, the electronic device can be conveniently carried for use during travel and business trips. Moreover, the electronic device can be pivotally adjusted to satisfy different orientations of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a protective case according to an embodiment of the present invention and a portable electronic device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic device received in the protective case of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing the protective case used with a luggage;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the protective case and the electronic device;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the protective case freely rotating;

FIG. 5B is another schematic view showing the protective case held with a luggage;

FIG. 5C is a schematic view showing a protective case having a fixed holder frame that can not be rotated; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a protective case having a reclined support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively exploded and perspective views of a protective case 100 for a portable electronic device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing the protective case 100 used with a luggage 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective case 100 comprises a first holder element 1 and a second holder element 2. The first holder element 1 includes an adapter member 11. The adapter member 11 has a grasp structure 12 and a space defined between the grasp structure 12 and the first holder element 1. The second holder element 2 has an edge connected with an edge of the first holder element 1. The second holder element 2 is adapted to receive and hold a portable electronic device 3 inserted therein in a predetermined direction. According to the preferred embodiment, the second holder element 2 comprises a holder frame 21 connected with the second holder element 2 and the holder frame 21 includes a cover flap 22. The holder frame 21 has an inner space to receive the electronic device 3 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). After the electronic device 3 is inserted and held in the holder frame 21, the cover flap 22 can be folded over and engaged with an opening of the inner space to retain the electronic device 3 in place. The protective case 100 is foldable; the first holder element 1 works as a protection cover and can be opened or closed by folding operation. When it is closed, the first holder element 1 is rotated in a direction that the grasp structure 12 faces the holder frame 21. Thus, the first holder element 1 entirely covers the electronic device 3 to provide effective protection. In addition to protecting the electronic device 3, the first holder element 1 can be used to mount the protective case 100 on a rod element 41, such as a handle of the luggage 4 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The rod element 41 is inserted into the space defined between the grasp structure 12 and the first holder element 1, and therefore the protective case 100 and the electronic device 3 are hung on the rod element 41 of the luggage 4. According to the embodiment, the electronic device 3 is a tablet computer. The protective case 100 may also be folded in a direction that the grasp structure 12 is away from the holder frame 21 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Therefore, the screen of the tablet computer is exposed. The user do not need to hold the electronic device 3 by hands and can operate the tablet computer that is mounted on the luggage 4. However, the present invention is not limited to the tablet computer. The protective case 100 according to the present invention is suitable to various electronic devices, such as electronic books, thin displays, video players, etc.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the first holder elements 1 may have two fastening elements 25 disposed at two side edges thereof and the second holder elements 2 has two fastening elements (not shown in drawings) disposed at positions corresponding to those of the first holder elements 1. An end of the fastening element 25 has an attaching end portion 251 formed as Velcro fasteners, buttons, etc. Therefore, the attaching end portions 251 of the first holder element 1 and those of the second holder element 2 can be connected together to securely fasten the first and second holder elements 1 and 2 together.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the second holder element 2 connected with the holder frame 21. A rotary element 23 is disposed between the second holder element 2 and the holder frame 21, and pivotally connects the holder frame 21 with the second holder element 2. Thus, the holder frame 21 can freely rotate relative to the second holder element 2 as shown in FIG. 5A. A plurality of fastening structures 24, such as buttons, snap-fitting members, Velcro fasteners, etc., are respectively disposed on the second holder element 2 and the holder frame 21 to fix them together. Moreover, the fastening structures 24 may also fix the holder frame 21 at various angles relative to the second holder element 2.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the protective case 100, wherein the holder frame 21 can rotate freely relative to the second holder element 2; FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the protective case 100 attached with a luggage 4. As shown in FIG. 5A, the holder frame 21 of the protective case 100 can freely rotate to adjust a display angle. The holder frame 21 can be rotated into various orientations relative to the second holder element 2, such as horizontal, vertical or slanted. Referring to FIG. 5B, the protective case 100 is attached with a luggage and the holder frame 21 is rotated into a vertical orientation.

Thus, the protective case 100 provides protection to the electronic device 3. The protective case 100 is easy to carry and can be conveniently mounted on a luggage, boarding luggage, a suitcase and other similar frames. Accordingly, the electronic device 3 can be conveniently carried for use during travel and business trips. Moreover, the electronic device 3 can be pivotally adjusted to satisfy different angles of use, such as horizontal orientation and vertical orientation. As shown in FIG. 5C, the holder frame 21 can also be designed to be fixedly secured with the second holder element 2, so that the holder frame 21 cannot rotate relative to the second holder element 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, the protective case 100 may further include a reclined support structure 5. The reclined support structure 5 is disposed between the first holder element 1 and the second holder element 2. The reclined support structure 5 includes a support rod 51 connected with a rear of the second holder element 2 and a corresponding stepped portion 52 formed at a rear of the first holder element 1. The support rod 51 can be placed in abutment against different positions of the stepped portion 52 to adjust the inclination of the second holder element 2. This functionality can be used when the protective case 100 is placed on a desk, mounted on a luggage, and in other suitable configurations.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims. 

1. A protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising: a first holder element having an adapter member; and a second holder element connected with the first holder element and adapted to receive and hold the electronic device; wherein the protective case is capable of being folded to open or closed; when the protective case is open, the first holder element is away from the electronic device and the electronic device is exposed; when the protective case is closed, the first holder element is disposed side by side with the second holder element and the electronic device is covered by the first holder element; the adapter member is adapted to connect with a rod element.
 2. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter member comprises a grasp structure to couple with the rod element.
 3. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second holder element comprises a holder frame for receiving the electronic device.
 4. The case as claimed in claim 3, wherein the holder frame comprises a cover flap to keep the electronic device received in the holder frame.
 5. The case as claimed in claim 3, wherein a rotary element is disposed between the second holder element and the holder frame, and the rotary element pivotally connects the second holder element with the holder frame.
 6. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reclined support structure is disposed between the first and second holder elements.
 7. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod element is a handle of a luggage.
 8. The case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holder elements has a fastening element disposed at a side edge thereof; the second holder elements has a fastening element disposed at positions corresponding to that of the first fastening element; the fastening element comprises an attaching end portion disposed at an end thereof.
 9. The case as claimed in claim 8, wherein the attaching end portion is a Velcro fastener. 